USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Second Church, or Old North, in Boston : to which is added a History of the New Brick Church > Part 16
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That Cotton Mather knew more of the history of this country than any man of his age, is the testimony of all competent judges. He has thrown into the " Magnalia " a large mass of materials for a history, many of which are valuable and interesting to the gene- ral reader, and indispensable to any future historian of New Eng- land. That there are inaccuracies and partial statements in the book is not a matter of surprise. It is very difficult to find any writer concerning the men and movements of his own age who is wholly free from prejudice, or any voluminous history that is entirely accurate. This is no place, however, for a criticism of the book; instead of which, I will let Cotton Mather speak for himself. If his views and practice with regard to style are not agreeable to any reader, perhaps his remarks on the subject may tend to put his critics in good humor.
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APPENDIX.
" There has been a deal of a do about a style; so much that I must offer you my sentiments upon it. There is a way of writing wherein the author endeavours that the reader may have something to the purpose in every paragraph. There is not only a vigour sensible in every sentence, but the paragraph is embellished with profitable references, even to something beyond what is directly spoken. Formal and painful quotations are not studied ; yet all that could be learnt from them is insinuated. The writer pretends not unto reading, yet he could not have writ as he does if he had not read very much in his time ; and his composures are not only a cloth of gold, but also stuck with as many jewels as the gown of a Russian em- bassador. This way of writing has been decried by many, and is at this day more than ever so, for the same reason that, in the old story, the grapes were decried, - that they were not ripe. A lazy, ignorant, con- ceited sett of authors would perswade the whole tribe to lay aside that way of writing, for the same reason that one would have perswaded his brethren to part with the encumbrance of their bushy tails. But, how- ever fashion and humour may prevail, they must not think that the club at their coffee-house is all the world ; but there will always be those who will in this case be governed by indisputable reason, and who will think that the real excellency of a book will never ly in saying of little, that the less one has for his money in a book 'tis really the more valuable for it, and that the less one is instructed in a book, and the more of superfluous margin and superficial harangue, and the less of substantial matter, one has in it, the more 'tis to be accounted of; and if a more massy way of writing be never so much disgusted at this day, a better gust will come on, as will some other things, que jam cecidere. In the mean time, nothing appears to me more impertinent and ridiculous than the modern way [I cannot say rule, for they have none !] of criticising. The blades that set up for criticks, -I know not who constituted or commissioned 'em ! - they appear to me, for the most part, as contemptible as they are a super- cilious generation ; for, indeed, no two of them have the same style ; and they are as intollerably cross-grained and severe in their censures upon one another as they are upon the rest of mankind. But while each of them, conceitedly enough, sets up for the standard of perfection, we are entirely at a loss which fire to follow. Nor can you easily find any one thing wherein they agree for their style, except perhaps a perpetual care to give us jejune and empty pages, without such touches of erudition (to speak in the style of an ingenious traveller) as may make the discourses less tedious, and more enriching to the mind of him that peruses them. There is much talk of a florid style obtaining among the pens that are most in vogue ; but how often would it puzzle one, even with the best glasses, to find the flowres ! And if they were to be chastized for it, it would be with much-what as much of justice as Jerom was for being a Ciceronian. After all, every man will have his own style, which will distinguish him as much
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APPENDIX.
as his gate ; and if you can attain to that which I have newly described, but always writing so as to give an easy conveyance unto your ideas, I would not have you by any scourging be driven out of your gate, but if you must confess a fault in it, make a confession like that of the lad unto his father, while he was beating him for his versifying.
" However, since every man will have his own style, I would pray that we may learn to treat one another with mutual civilities and conde- scensions, and handsomely indulge one another in this, as gentlemen do in other matters.
" I wonder what ails people, that they can't let Cicero write in the style of Cicero, and Seneca write in the (much other!) style of Seneca ; and own that both may please in their several ways."
In another place, speaking of his own writings, he uses this language : -
" I am no pretender to what some have been commended for, -the art of good narrative. I acknowledge that I am too liable to an infirmity of salting my sentences, now and then, with short, instructive, and unforced intermixtures of something or other that I have read of. But, as I was upon reforming it, I stumbled upon a passage in a letter of Mons. Tourne- fort unto the Lord Pontchartrain : 'You gave me leave to insert some touches of erudition to heighten the subject treated of; and I fancy such additions will make them the less tiresome.' This a little emboldened me."
Again, he says, in relation to one of his works : -
" I can truly say I have studiously laid aside that care of embellishing. I have drop't a world of what some would count ornaments, which, while I was writing, offered themselves to my mind."
E. - PAGE 130.
FORM OF UNION BETWEEN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, LATE UNDER THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE REV. DR. PEMBERTON, AND THE SECOND CHURCH OF CHRIST IN BOSTON, UNDER THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE REV. JOHN LATHROP.
First, the Moderator of the New Brick Church, late under the pastoral care of the Rev. Dr. Pemberton, addresses himself as follows to the members of the church : -
" Brethren, - It having pleased Almighty God to remove from us, by death, our late evangelical pastor, the Rev. Dr. Pemberton, under whose ministry some of us have sat with pleasure for many years, and the great
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APPENDIX.
Head of the Church having so ordered events in the kingdom of provi- dence, that we have enjoyed the ministerial labors of the Rev. John Lathrop, who has statedly ministered to us, and to the church under his particular care, which has assembled with us since the evacuation of the town by the British forces in March, 1776 ; - finding ourselves reduced to a small number, it has been thought that it might tend to the glory of the Redeemer's kingdom, and to our own edification, for us to unite and in- corporate with the Second Church of Christ, under the pastoral care of the Rev. John Lathrop, with whose ministerial labors we have expressed our full satisfaction ; that from henceforth we be one church or corporate body, equally entitled to all the rights and privileges, all the stock, whether in plate, money, books, houses, lands, and hereditaments, which have hitherto been the separate property of each church.
" As this important affair has been for some time under consideration, and every member of the church has had time to think and determine, if you please, I will put the question. If it be your minds, then, my breth- ren, that the Church of Christ, late under the care of the Rev. Dr. Pem- berton, should unite and incorporate with the Second Church of Christ in Boston, please to signify it by the usual sign of holding up the hand."
The Moderator will then address himself to the brethren of the con- gregation usually known by the name of the New Brick : -
" Brethren, - As the Church of Christ, late under the pastoral care of the Rev. Dr. Pemberton, have now voted to unite and incorporate with the Second Church of Christ in this town, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Lathrop, it is proper that the congregation who usually attended on the ministry of the late Dr. Pemberton should signify their concur- rence with what the church has done. If it be your minds, then, brethren, to concur with the church in their act of union and incorporation with the Second Church of Christ in this town, under the pastoral care of the Rev. John Lathrop, please to signify it."
The Moderator of the Second Church of Christ in this town will ad- dress himself to that church in the following manner : -
" Brethren of the Second Church in this town, - You have now at- tended to the vote of the Church of Christ, late under the pastoral care of the Rev. Dr. Pemberton, for uniting and incorporating with us. It is now for us to declare our concurrence with what is expressed in the vote of union just now passed by this our sister church. If you please, I will put the question. If it be your minds, then, my brethren, that the Church of Christ, late under the pastoral care of the Rev. Dr. Pemberton, should be united with us, so that from this time we be one church or corporate body, known by the Second Church of Christ in Boston; and that all those rights and privileges, all the stock in plate, money, books, houses, lands, and hereditaments, which have hitherto been the separate property of each church, shall from this time become one common stock, to which all
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APPENDIX.
the members of this united church shall be equally entitled ; and from this time we consider the members of the church late under the care of the Rev. Dr. Pemberton, and the members of our own church, as one body, equally bound to watch over one another in love, and promote the edifica- tion and happiness of the whole, -if this be your minds, please to signify it."
The Moderator will then address himself to the brethren of the con- gregation usually known by the name of the Old North : -
" Brethren, - You have attended to the union which has now taken place. The church late under the pastoral care of the Rev. Dr. Pem- berton, and the Second Church of Christ in this town, are no more twain, but one body in the Lord. You have also attended to the vote of the New Brick congregation, declaring their concurrence with the church in the act of union which has been passed. Nothing now remains but your concurrence with the whole. If it be your minds, then, that, inasmuch as a union has been complicated between the churches, the congregations should be united likewise, please to manifest it.
Conclusion. " Brethren, - As we are now one church and one con- gregation, God grant we may be one in Christ ; equally interested in the merits of his obedience and death. God grant we may be edified more and more in love, and that by his grace we may all prepared to join with the general assembly and church of the first-born on high, to ascribe bless- ing and honor and glory and power unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen and Amen."
Boston, June 30, 1779.
The above was drawn up by Deacon Tudor.
The following is a copy of my letter of resignation referred to in the concluding part of the history of the Second Church.
TO THE PROPRIETORS OF THE SECOND CHURCH.
My Friends, - After long and prayerful deliberation, attended with no little suffering, I have become convinced that it is my duty to make to you the communication which I now send. Some of you may have antici- pated it ; to a few it may be unexpected ; but to all I trust it will approve itself as being neither unreasonable, unfriendly, nor unjust. I ask for it attentive and calm consideration, and kind construction.
From the hour when a small majority of the proprietors of the Second Church voted to build a new house of worship on the spot occupied by the old, dissensions and embarrassments have afflicted our society, which, be-
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APPENDIX.
fore that period, had been proverbially harmonious and prosperous. You are aware, that my own advice was against the course taken by the majo- rity, as well as against building a costly church. In evidence of my views on these subjects, I refer you to a letter addressed by me to the society, when the question of rebuilding was first agitated. You will find the letter on file amongst the papers in the keeping of your clerk. Permit me, how- ever, to quote from it a few sentences. [These may be found on p. 148.]
Such were my opinions and feelings ; such the counsels which I pre- sumed to offer. I had no right to expect for them so much influence as to overbalance the wishes of the majority of the proprietors. But I think experience has clearly proved that they were wise and seasonable ; and that, if they had been regarded, both the parish and its minister would have been saved from much trouble.
When, however, the vote had been passed by the society to build upon the old spot, it became my duty not only to acquiesce, but to use my best exertions to produce a general feeling of interest and good-will throughout the congregation. You will bear me witness that I was not faithless in these respects, but that whatever influence I could command was in favor of union and peace, and in furtherance of the plans of the majority of the proprietors.
For a short time after the completion of your new edifice, there were signs of a renewal of our prosperity. Former proprietors repurchased, old worshippers returned, new members were added to the society, and all things went on well. But, when the magnitude of your debt was fully realized, it not only added a new cause of discontent and discord to those which were beginning to subside, but revived and strengthened all the rest.
Various plans have been tried by you to lessen your debt ; but they have failed. I have myself three times preached to the society on the subject, once addressed you at a proprietors' meeting, and once gone about soliciting individual contributions, -obtaining nearly enough to secure the safety of your building ; but no positive or permanent benefit has resulted from my efforts. If the last of them had been seconded with a little more spirit, it would have succeeded, and your troubles would have been by this time at an end. I must be permitted to express my profound grief and surprise, that, when the work of saving the church was so nearly accomplished, it should have been suffered to fall through.
At length, in consequence of an act of the Standing Committee, nearly one hundred proprietors gave up their pews. Some of them continue to worship with us; but many have withdrawn, - disappointed, weary, de- sponding, or perhaps offended, -till but a small remnant is left of the congregation once familiar and dear to me. The departure of friend after friend from your pews has caused me pang after pang, till my heart has become sore from the rupture of so many cherished pastoral ties. Nor is
.
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APPENDIX.
the pain of separation lightened to me by the tokens I have uniformly received of the unchanged attachment of those who have left.
Such is the present condition of the society, and such, in brief, the his- tory of the circumstances which have produced it. And, now, what is the prospect before us? Let it be looked at clearly and soberly. Your debt of forty thousand dollars remains unpaid. No provision is made, none now proposed, for paying it. The pews cannot be sold, -no man would be so imprudent as to buy, none so unwise as to expect to sell. The interest on the debt, together with the current expenses of the society, can only be raised by very high taxes, and the rent of a large number of pews. I be- lieve it is well ascertained, that the amount you will thus procure during the present year will fall so far short of the requisite sum as considerably to augment your debt. Your pecuniary embarrassment is becoming greater every day. I can see nothing before you but deeper difficulty, the gradual and steady desertion of worshippers, and the sacrifice of your house. Not one ray of promise sufficient to excite the hope of a judicious mind, so far as I can see, breaks the impending gloom. All that any of you say to encourage me is, that " something MAY yet turn up." But, my friends, the caprice of chance is no basis for the plans of reasonable and serious men ; and, even if it were ordinarily safe to rely upon it, it would be, in the present instance, too much to expect such a rare revolution of Fortune's wheel as would discharge your enormous debt, which, in spite of all our efforts, under more favorable circumstances than can again occur, has not been even so much as diminished.
Meanwhile, the religious condition of the society is wholly discouraging, and its benevolent action entirely crippled. This is the consideration that weighs more heavily upon my heart than all others. If it were not for this fact, all your troubles might be remedied. If there were but religious life in the society, even its immense pecuniary burden would be compara- tively light. But I have long mourned that it is dying out. I have long felt that circumstances must render my preaching abortive. I have noth- ing to hope for in occupying your pulpit, except to defer a little longer the sale of the house. Hard and sad experience has taught me, that I cannot look for much spiritual edification against the pressure of our temporal dis- tress. I have nothing to cheer me, -every thing to dishearten. I can enjoy no satisfactory Christian communion with you, whilst secular difficul- ties take precedence of all other subjects of conversation and interest, and seem to swallow up the hearts of my people. I fear for my own spiritual life. Soul and body are beginning to suffer from long anxiety, discourage- ment, and suspense.
Influenced by such considerations, I am constrained to ask to be released from my obligations to the proprietors of the Second Church, and do here- with tender to you my resignation of them. From the congregation and the church-all whose members since my connection with them I have
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sincerely loved -I can never be spiritually separated. My heart is true to them still, wherever they or I may dwell. If this instrument were to dissever the ties that bind me to them, my hand could not have written it. But many of them have already left your pews ; and the remainder might soon follow, even if I were to retain your pulpit. It is to the small body of less than a score of proprietors of the building, that, according to legal usage, I offer my resignation. Individually, they are included with those of whom I have just now spoken. But collectively, in their capacity of owners of the house, I do not feel as if they constituted the society which has been, and ever will be, dear to me. The house has scattered the flock, - the house is breaking up the church. It is from the house I desire to be separated, before it shall consummate the destruction of a venerable and once lovely and most beloved Christian association.
In conclusion, I must express the feeling of deep reluctance under which I have prepared, and now send, this communication. No one of you can understand how deep and tender has been my affection for the Second Church, nor how painful is the conviction, that, without the occur- rence of any thing to disturb that affection, and without the forfeiture of the love of any of the members of the congregation, a mere pecuniary diffi- culty should compel me to resign my pastoral office. Throughout all the troubles of the society, I rejoice to feel that I have experienced from every parishioner unvarying kindness and respect ; and I am pleased to say that I have received from the proprietors the prompt and full payment of my salary. No minister can have found a flock more friendly and considerate towards himself.
And now I cannot close without saying, that I had formed, and have fulfilled, the purpose to remain with you, and to share your burden, so long as there might be any prospect of sustaining the society by saving your house. As far as I can see or can learn from your treasurer, the case is as hopeless as I have described it to be. If, however, any thing can yet be done towards liquidating your debt, no consideration shall avail to induce me to separate myself from you at the present time. On the contrary, no one would be willing to sacrifice more than I should be to hold the house of worship in your possession, and thereby to keep alive the church and congregation.
Faithfully, your friend and servant,
CHANDLER ROBBINS. Boston, June 21, 1848.
Several matters of historical interest, not particularly referred to in the History of the Second Church, are here introduced. For the following copy of names and its tabular arrangement, I am indebted to the skill and kindness of Mr. Thos. B. Wyman, jun.
29
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APPENDIX.
ADMISSIONS AND BAPTISMS
AT
THE SECOND CHURCH.
N.B. - This table has been arranged alphabetically, for the sake of convenience. The admissions are placed first under each family name; the baptisms follow, being divided from the former by a dash. Where the Christian name of the parent is not giveu, it has been omitted in the Church Records.
ABBOT.
1706 Sept. 15.
Rebeckah.
1727 Nov. 12.
Elizabeth.
1727 Dec. 24.
Moses.
Hull, of Rebeckah, June 21, 1702.
Moses, of April 2, 1704.
Elizabeth, of Moses, Mar. 16, 1707.
Richard, of
Feb. 20, 1708[9
Moses, of Rebecka,
Aug. 5, 1711.
Rebeckah, of
Sept. 6, 1713.
Richard, of
May 29, 1715.
Ebenezer, of
July 7, 1717.
ADAMS.
1658[9 Jan. 16.
Nathaniel.
1677 Mar. 9. S.
1693 Sept. 24. Rebeckah.
1698 Dec. 11. Priscilla.
1714 May 9.
Mary.
1714 Aug. 1. John.
1724 May 3. John.
1782 June 16. Mary.
Joseph, of Martha, Nov. 17, 1695.
Elizabeth, of ,, Oct. 17, 1697.
Jacob, of Sept. 3, 1699.
John, of Elizabeth, Apr. 11, 1697.
Joseph, of "
Sept. 24, 1699.
Nathaniel, " Mar. 8, 1702.
Joseph, of Dec. 10, 1704.
David, of ,, May 30, 1708.
Abigail, of T.,
Apr. 17, 1698.
(of Charlestown.)
Nathaniel, of Lois, Nov. 9, 1701.
Abigail, of Dinah, Apr. 25, 1703. Hannah, of Hannah, Sept. 14, 1707. Eliza, of Sept. 14, 1707.
John, of John, Dec. 4, 1715.
Mary, of " Jan. 12, 1717[8
Joseph, of „ June 5, 1720.
Mary, of Aug. 19, 1722.
Sarah, of , July 26, 1724.
Benjamin, ,,
Aug. 15, 1725.
William, of John, Jan. 1, 1726[7
Susanna, of ,, Aug. 3, 1729.
Margaret, of Apr. 22, 1733.
Ammi, of John and Mary, Aug. 16, 1730.
Benjamin, of ,, "
Jan. 12, 1734[5
Isaac, of Mary,
Feb. 18, 1732[3
Joseph, of
Feb. 10, 1733[4
George, of „, Aug. 28, 1737.
Elizabeth, „
Oct. 28, 1739.
Rebeckah, of Temp'ce,
Aug. 24, 1718.
John, of Dorcas,
Jan. 9, 1736[7
John, of "
Nov. 12, 1738.
Dorcas, of "
Nov. 2, 1740.
Jonathan, of Jan. 3, 1696[7
Priscilla, of May 2, 1703.
Mary, of July 11, 1708.
John, of Oct. 15, 1710.
Sarah, of
Sept. 14, 1712.
Mary, of Sept. 21, 1712.
Thomas, of
Sept. 20, 1713.
Silence, of
Jan. 30, 1714[5
ALCOCK.
1676
Apr. 30.
Samuel.
Elizabeth, of M., Feb. 8, 1712[3
Rebeckah, of „
Feb.
8, 1712 3
John, of "
Feb. 8, 1712[3
Patience, of ,,
Feb. 8, 1712[3
.Mary, of Milom,
Jan. 2,1714[5
ALEXANDER.
Edward, of
June 22, 1712.
Lydia, of Lydia,
Nov. 8, 1713.
ALLEN.
1727[8 Jan. 14.
Mary.
Mary, of Mary, Oct. 31, 1725.
Martha, of ,,
Nov. 20, 1726.
William, of ,, Dec. 7, 1729.
Elizabeth, „ Apr. 9, 1732.
Ann, of " July 13, 1735.
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APPENDIX.
William, of Mary, June 4, 1738.
Thomas, of
Aug. 7, 1720.
Ebenezer, of
Aug. 28, 1720.
Mary, of Dec. 31, 1721.
Sarah, of
Aug. 18, 1723.
ALLEY. Jacob, of Priscilla, June 6, 1708.
AMBROSE.
Elizabeth, of Eliz., Dec. 18, 1698.
Lydia, of Mar. 2, 1701.
AMOS.
1666 Apr. 29.
Hugh.
1666 Apr. 29. S.
AND(ER)SON.
1672 Sept. 7. John.
1672 Oct. 20. Mary.
1716 July 8. Mary.
ANGIER.
1723 June 9.
Sarah.
John, of Eliza, Jan. 23, 1714[5
APPLETON.
1743
Sarah.
ARCHBALD.
1776 Nov. 10. Anna.
ARCHER.
1711[2 Jan. 6. Thomas.
ARMSTRONG.
S. 1670
Mary, of Margaret, May 24, 1696.
Matthew, of „, Apr. 24, 1698.
Thomas, of July 21, 1700.
Hannah, of
May 5, 1706.
ARNOLD.
Thomas, of May 16, 1697.
Mary, of Apr. 21, 1700.
Elizabeth, of Mar. 18, 1705.
ARTHUR.
Joseph, of Aug. 21, 1715.
ASHLEY.
1691 July to Sept. Mary.
ASHWOOD, or ASTWOOD.
1650 June 5. James.
ATKINS, or ADKINS.
1673 Dec. 6. B.
1673 Dec. 6. S.
1677 July 29. S.
1791 Hannah.
Ruth, of Mar. 22, 1702.
Thomas, of June 7, 1702.
Elizabeth, of July 23, 1704.
Richard, of
Oct. 20, 1706.
Timothy, of Dec. 23, 1711.
Ruth, of Sept. 8, 1717.
John, of July 17, 1720.
ATKINSON.
William, of Eliza,
Mar. 26, 1727.
ATWOOD.
1675[6
Feb. 20.
John.
1695[6 Jan. 26. Mary.
Mary, of John,
Sept. 6, 1691.
John, of J.
Feb. 18, 1693[4
Samuel, of John and Mary, Mar. 29, 1696.
Ann, of John,
June 20, 1697.
Elizabeth, „
Aug. 21, 1698.
Abigail,
Nov. 19, 1699.
Joshua, of " Apr. 13, 1701.
Zachariah, of
Dec. 27, 1719.
AUSTILL.
1724
Nov. 2.
Joanna.
Joseph, of
Nov. 6, 1726.
AUSTIN.
1773 Oct. Samuel.
AVIS.
1703[4 Jan. 23.
Samuel.
1703[4 Jan. 23. Mary.
Samuel, of Samuel, Apr. 18, 1697.
Mary, of
Dec. 4, 1698.
John, of
Oct. 20, 1700.
Samuel, of
Feb. 6, 1703[4
William, of Mar. 25, 1705.
Mary, of May 5, 1706.
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